James Gets a Girlfriend
Teenage dating is one of the greatest mysteries that this world has yet to solve. It is a period that I look back on and wonder what was going through our little heads. I understand my parent’s reaction now when I told them I was going on a double date with Joseph, Zooey, and Jojo. The scene went like this:
It was just before dinner and I was working on some of my homework in the living room. My parents were in the kitchen cooking dinner together as they usually did, listening to what they called “their jams,” and I sat alone watching television. The way our household had functioned changed dramatically when my two sisters went off to college. There wasn’t nearly as much drama or late night crying as there had been before when they both had boyfriend troubles…at the same exact time. Overall, the household was much happier, more carefree, and goofy. Not to bag on my older siblings, but my parents knew they didn’t need to worry about me. I wasn’t the one who went “gaga” over girls…at least not until my freshmen year that is.
Once dinner was finished, we all sat down at the table and proceeded to do the one thing that we Castle’s know how to do best…eat. I was looking for the best time to put the topic on the table, but I never did. Mom and Dad went back and forth about what was happening at work, then to what was good on TV, and about the weather. None of those topics were really ideal to squeeze in the whole “dating” thing, so I continued to wait. And wait. And wait. Finally I couldn’t wait any longer. In between talking about the new episode of Glee and my father’s use of vacation time, I blurted out, “JOSEPH ASKED ME TO GO ON A DATE WITH HIM ON FRIDAY AND I SAID YES!”
Both of my parents looked at me, completely stunned and shell shocked.
“Excuse me,” said my father.
“Oh Honey, it’s okay. Don’t mind us. We’re just a little surprised is all,” interrupted my mother. “We knew you and Joseph were close friends, but we didn’t know you were that close of friends. I guess we should have seen that one coming…”
“I guess so. I mean, you never were that great at sports or anything. But it’s okay son. We stand by you one-hundred percent. We love you no matter what,” followed my father.
My parents’ ability to believe that I was gay was seriously disheartening. Not that there was anything wrong with being gay. I totally respected my gay friends at school and all and loved them no matter what, but the thing is…I WASN’T GAY. It’s like someone saying I was good at playing football and could totally see it. It’s not that I was offended, it just wasn’t the truth.
“What?! No, guys, I didn’t mean it like that,” I said. “I meant that Joseph asked me to go on a double date with him and I said yes. We’re going with two of our friends…who are girls…they’re our dates…”
“OOH!” said my parents in unison.
“Well, alright then. Uh, this is a little awkward now isn’t it?” laughed my father.
“Don’t worry about it guys,” I smiled at them. “I just wanted to know if it’s okay to go this Friday.”
They looked at each other, having a conversation with their eyes. I still find it amazing when people have been together long enough to be able to have a complete conversation without saying a word. All they have to do is look at the other a certain way, making subtle expressions to say this or that. It’s a beautiful thing.
After they talked with one another, with their eyes, they turned to me. My mother was the first one to speak up.
“You’re father and I do believe that you are responsible enough to take this next step. But we feel, since you are becoming more aware of girls and their attractiveness, that we should have a talk with you…”
“That’s right,” followed my father. “We want to make sure you know what you’re getting into by actually starting to date girls. We realize that you’re changing, both physically and…sexually.”
Oh no, I thought. Please don’t let this be the talk. Please don’t let this be where the birds and the bees come out in full force. Please be anything than that I thought.
“Son,” my father said. “Have you heard about the birds and the bees…”
“NO!” I yelled. “Please don’t go into this. I understand all of that. I know how it works. I know everything. Just please don’t try to explain it to me.” It was the most embarrassing thing, seeing your parents try to describe sex to you when you already knew what it was. They struggled with trying to find the right words, but in reality, there are no right words. Sex is sex. Might as well tell it like it is and move on.
“Alright, alright, well then, I guess kids these days are more advanced than we were at that age, huh Carol?” That was a lie, but I let it slide.
“I guess so,” replied Mom. She looked at me with that look that mothers get when they realize their baby is growing up. They’d both gone through this before with my sisters, but for some reason this whole experience was different with me. It was different because I was the lone son and the last one of the litter. After I grew up, there were no more kids for them. No more babies to take care of or look after. This single event of me starting to like/go out with girls meant the beginning of the end for them. And that’s a big thing for parents.
Mom smiled, holding back tears, “We couldn’t keep you trapped in here forever, now could we James? Yes, you can go on your little date on Friday. Do you need me to drive you or anyone else?”
And that was that. It was official. Any barrier that had been there before was gone. I was going to go on my first date with a girl. And to be honest, I was scared shitless.
On Friday night, Mom took Joseph and I to the movie theater and dropped us off in the front. She waved goodbye for a good minute or so and only left when the cars behind her began to honk and yell for her to get out of the way.
We made our way to the box office to buy our tickets, nervously anticipating the night that lay before us. After buying our tickets, we stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the theater, our eyes darting left to right for any sign of either girl.
“They’re late,” said Joseph, shaking from head to toe.
“Uh,” I checked my watch. It was 6:45 PM and the movie didn’t start until 7:50 PM. “I don’t think they’re late Joe.”
“THEY’RE LATE! She said she’d be here at 7:00 PM!”
“Joseph! Calm down! It’s only 6:45 PM!”
He glared at me, and then looked at his phone. Joseph let out a sigh of relief and calmed down, but only a bit. The next fifteen minutes passed only through monotonous conversation between Joseph and I. We were both nervous, this being our first date and all. Finally, at 7:00 PM, the girls arrived together, and I must say that for the first time in my life, I understood what it felt like to have butterflies flying throughout my stomach.
Zooey ran up to Joseph and threw her arms around him, hugging him tight. She looked very pretty. Her long, brown hair fell gently on her shoulders in loose curls. She looked pretty, but there was no way she compared to the girl that was walking toward me.
Joseph told me that it was Jojo who was coming with Zooey, but this girl was different. Each step she took toward me held a certain confidence in it. She walked with purpose and I couldn’t help but admire how incredibly beautiful she looked. Her black hair was still cut like a pixie, but all of her features were also distinguished. Her eyes were a warm, caramel color and her long eyelashes fluttered slowly, drawing me closer into her. She wore a gray sweater dress, held together with a belt and tight skinny jeans which showed off her amazing hips and legs. Jojo looked absolutely stunning. At that moment, there was no girl who could compete with her.
It was apparent that I was staring when she was blushing and laughing as she tried to get my attention.
“James? Are you okay?” she asked. She smirked and shook me by my shoulders with her small hands.
“Uh, yeah! Hi, uh, Jojo. You look, uh, amazing?” I had lost total control of all of my motor and communication skills.
She giggled and I had never wanted to be lost in a giggle before in my life. I could hear that giggle all day, every day.
“Is that a question or is it a statement?” replied Jojo. She hadn’t stopped smiling. I needed to get control of myself or else I would lose this girl completely.
“It’s a statement,” I answered, smiling back at her. “You look beautiful.”
“Why thank you James, you look pretty sharp yourself.” Her voice was full of excitement, nervousness, and seduction all at the same time.
“Are we going to go see this movie or what?” spoke up Zooey from our side. She was curled into Joseph and smirking at the two of us.
“Yes! Let’s get this show on the road,” answered Jojo. She looked toward me and smiled, “You ready, sport?”
Oh I was ready.
The movie was decent, but what happened during the movie was entertainment enough for Jojo and I. We sat together and whispered things we didn’t know about each other. We also had fun throwing popcorn at Zooey and Joseph as the two of them made-out in front of us. That was our main entertainment. I could already tell that her and I were making a good team.
After the movie, Zooey and Joseph went off together, Joseph looking back and giving me a wink before they disappeared. Jojo and I were left alone. We walked together, talking more and more about everything from our favorite books to favorite music. It was incredible how much she knew about music. The thing that amazed me the most, however, was the way that she talked. She talked as if everything excited her. I could feel the passion she felt about everything that she was saying. All it did was make me want her to talk more.
We walked across the street from the movie theater to a small park, and made our way to a spot that overlooked the parks manmade lake. She rushed up to the edge and looked out over it, staring at the reflection of the full moon that lit the entire park.
“Isn’t it just beautiful,” she said. “It’s amazing. How the universe can just make up something so perfect. It’s like music, you know? You have your words, your melody, and then an arrangement of instruments. When they’re separated, they’re just a bunch of words, some tones, and noise. But when you put them all together, when the words compliment the melody and the instruments make this beautiful layer, that’s when the magic happens. That’s what this is.” She pointed out toward the lake and the moon and the park. “All of this put together James. It’s here for a reason. All of it put together…it’s magic.”
What happened next happened rather fast. But I was never so in control of my motions as I was at that moment. I took Jojo’s hand in mine and turned her towards me. I looked into those warm, caramel eyes and picked her chin up with my hand. The next thing I knew my lips were touching her lips. Everything put together at that moment; the lake, the moon, her hand in mine, our eyes closed, our lips touching, my hand under her chin, it all came together…and it was magic.
Our lips finally parted, and we both did nothing but smile as our foreheads touched. I held onto her hand, her fingers interlaced in mine. I was the first one to speak.
“Jojo,” I whispered. “I was wondering…would you like to be my girlfriend?”
She smirked, and even in the dark of the park, I could see her cheeks were crimson.
“I thought you’d never ask, sport.” She kissed me again and I wrapped my arms tightly around her.
As my arms were wrapped tight around Jojo, something in the back of my mind was calling me. A faint echo was all I could hear. The words, “Do you need help?” rang softly through my head, but for some reason the voice saying them no longer meant anything to me. Before I knew it, the voice was gone, and all I could hear was the sound of Jojo’s breathing as we continued to kiss in the dark of the park.
It was just before dinner and I was working on some of my homework in the living room. My parents were in the kitchen cooking dinner together as they usually did, listening to what they called “their jams,” and I sat alone watching television. The way our household had functioned changed dramatically when my two sisters went off to college. There wasn’t nearly as much drama or late night crying as there had been before when they both had boyfriend troubles…at the same exact time. Overall, the household was much happier, more carefree, and goofy. Not to bag on my older siblings, but my parents knew they didn’t need to worry about me. I wasn’t the one who went “gaga” over girls…at least not until my freshmen year that is.
Once dinner was finished, we all sat down at the table and proceeded to do the one thing that we Castle’s know how to do best…eat. I was looking for the best time to put the topic on the table, but I never did. Mom and Dad went back and forth about what was happening at work, then to what was good on TV, and about the weather. None of those topics were really ideal to squeeze in the whole “dating” thing, so I continued to wait. And wait. And wait. Finally I couldn’t wait any longer. In between talking about the new episode of Glee and my father’s use of vacation time, I blurted out, “JOSEPH ASKED ME TO GO ON A DATE WITH HIM ON FRIDAY AND I SAID YES!”
Both of my parents looked at me, completely stunned and shell shocked.
“Excuse me,” said my father.
“Oh Honey, it’s okay. Don’t mind us. We’re just a little surprised is all,” interrupted my mother. “We knew you and Joseph were close friends, but we didn’t know you were that close of friends. I guess we should have seen that one coming…”
“I guess so. I mean, you never were that great at sports or anything. But it’s okay son. We stand by you one-hundred percent. We love you no matter what,” followed my father.
My parents’ ability to believe that I was gay was seriously disheartening. Not that there was anything wrong with being gay. I totally respected my gay friends at school and all and loved them no matter what, but the thing is…I WASN’T GAY. It’s like someone saying I was good at playing football and could totally see it. It’s not that I was offended, it just wasn’t the truth.
“What?! No, guys, I didn’t mean it like that,” I said. “I meant that Joseph asked me to go on a double date with him and I said yes. We’re going with two of our friends…who are girls…they’re our dates…”
“OOH!” said my parents in unison.
“Well, alright then. Uh, this is a little awkward now isn’t it?” laughed my father.
“Don’t worry about it guys,” I smiled at them. “I just wanted to know if it’s okay to go this Friday.”
They looked at each other, having a conversation with their eyes. I still find it amazing when people have been together long enough to be able to have a complete conversation without saying a word. All they have to do is look at the other a certain way, making subtle expressions to say this or that. It’s a beautiful thing.
After they talked with one another, with their eyes, they turned to me. My mother was the first one to speak up.
“You’re father and I do believe that you are responsible enough to take this next step. But we feel, since you are becoming more aware of girls and their attractiveness, that we should have a talk with you…”
“That’s right,” followed my father. “We want to make sure you know what you’re getting into by actually starting to date girls. We realize that you’re changing, both physically and…sexually.”
Oh no, I thought. Please don’t let this be the talk. Please don’t let this be where the birds and the bees come out in full force. Please be anything than that I thought.
“Son,” my father said. “Have you heard about the birds and the bees…”
“NO!” I yelled. “Please don’t go into this. I understand all of that. I know how it works. I know everything. Just please don’t try to explain it to me.” It was the most embarrassing thing, seeing your parents try to describe sex to you when you already knew what it was. They struggled with trying to find the right words, but in reality, there are no right words. Sex is sex. Might as well tell it like it is and move on.
“Alright, alright, well then, I guess kids these days are more advanced than we were at that age, huh Carol?” That was a lie, but I let it slide.
“I guess so,” replied Mom. She looked at me with that look that mothers get when they realize their baby is growing up. They’d both gone through this before with my sisters, but for some reason this whole experience was different with me. It was different because I was the lone son and the last one of the litter. After I grew up, there were no more kids for them. No more babies to take care of or look after. This single event of me starting to like/go out with girls meant the beginning of the end for them. And that’s a big thing for parents.
Mom smiled, holding back tears, “We couldn’t keep you trapped in here forever, now could we James? Yes, you can go on your little date on Friday. Do you need me to drive you or anyone else?”
And that was that. It was official. Any barrier that had been there before was gone. I was going to go on my first date with a girl. And to be honest, I was scared shitless.
On Friday night, Mom took Joseph and I to the movie theater and dropped us off in the front. She waved goodbye for a good minute or so and only left when the cars behind her began to honk and yell for her to get out of the way.
We made our way to the box office to buy our tickets, nervously anticipating the night that lay before us. After buying our tickets, we stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the theater, our eyes darting left to right for any sign of either girl.
“They’re late,” said Joseph, shaking from head to toe.
“Uh,” I checked my watch. It was 6:45 PM and the movie didn’t start until 7:50 PM. “I don’t think they’re late Joe.”
“THEY’RE LATE! She said she’d be here at 7:00 PM!”
“Joseph! Calm down! It’s only 6:45 PM!”
He glared at me, and then looked at his phone. Joseph let out a sigh of relief and calmed down, but only a bit. The next fifteen minutes passed only through monotonous conversation between Joseph and I. We were both nervous, this being our first date and all. Finally, at 7:00 PM, the girls arrived together, and I must say that for the first time in my life, I understood what it felt like to have butterflies flying throughout my stomach.
Zooey ran up to Joseph and threw her arms around him, hugging him tight. She looked very pretty. Her long, brown hair fell gently on her shoulders in loose curls. She looked pretty, but there was no way she compared to the girl that was walking toward me.
Joseph told me that it was Jojo who was coming with Zooey, but this girl was different. Each step she took toward me held a certain confidence in it. She walked with purpose and I couldn’t help but admire how incredibly beautiful she looked. Her black hair was still cut like a pixie, but all of her features were also distinguished. Her eyes were a warm, caramel color and her long eyelashes fluttered slowly, drawing me closer into her. She wore a gray sweater dress, held together with a belt and tight skinny jeans which showed off her amazing hips and legs. Jojo looked absolutely stunning. At that moment, there was no girl who could compete with her.
It was apparent that I was staring when she was blushing and laughing as she tried to get my attention.
“James? Are you okay?” she asked. She smirked and shook me by my shoulders with her small hands.
“Uh, yeah! Hi, uh, Jojo. You look, uh, amazing?” I had lost total control of all of my motor and communication skills.
She giggled and I had never wanted to be lost in a giggle before in my life. I could hear that giggle all day, every day.
“Is that a question or is it a statement?” replied Jojo. She hadn’t stopped smiling. I needed to get control of myself or else I would lose this girl completely.
“It’s a statement,” I answered, smiling back at her. “You look beautiful.”
“Why thank you James, you look pretty sharp yourself.” Her voice was full of excitement, nervousness, and seduction all at the same time.
“Are we going to go see this movie or what?” spoke up Zooey from our side. She was curled into Joseph and smirking at the two of us.
“Yes! Let’s get this show on the road,” answered Jojo. She looked toward me and smiled, “You ready, sport?”
Oh I was ready.
The movie was decent, but what happened during the movie was entertainment enough for Jojo and I. We sat together and whispered things we didn’t know about each other. We also had fun throwing popcorn at Zooey and Joseph as the two of them made-out in front of us. That was our main entertainment. I could already tell that her and I were making a good team.
After the movie, Zooey and Joseph went off together, Joseph looking back and giving me a wink before they disappeared. Jojo and I were left alone. We walked together, talking more and more about everything from our favorite books to favorite music. It was incredible how much she knew about music. The thing that amazed me the most, however, was the way that she talked. She talked as if everything excited her. I could feel the passion she felt about everything that she was saying. All it did was make me want her to talk more.
We walked across the street from the movie theater to a small park, and made our way to a spot that overlooked the parks manmade lake. She rushed up to the edge and looked out over it, staring at the reflection of the full moon that lit the entire park.
“Isn’t it just beautiful,” she said. “It’s amazing. How the universe can just make up something so perfect. It’s like music, you know? You have your words, your melody, and then an arrangement of instruments. When they’re separated, they’re just a bunch of words, some tones, and noise. But when you put them all together, when the words compliment the melody and the instruments make this beautiful layer, that’s when the magic happens. That’s what this is.” She pointed out toward the lake and the moon and the park. “All of this put together James. It’s here for a reason. All of it put together…it’s magic.”
What happened next happened rather fast. But I was never so in control of my motions as I was at that moment. I took Jojo’s hand in mine and turned her towards me. I looked into those warm, caramel eyes and picked her chin up with my hand. The next thing I knew my lips were touching her lips. Everything put together at that moment; the lake, the moon, her hand in mine, our eyes closed, our lips touching, my hand under her chin, it all came together…and it was magic.
Our lips finally parted, and we both did nothing but smile as our foreheads touched. I held onto her hand, her fingers interlaced in mine. I was the first one to speak.
“Jojo,” I whispered. “I was wondering…would you like to be my girlfriend?”
She smirked, and even in the dark of the park, I could see her cheeks were crimson.
“I thought you’d never ask, sport.” She kissed me again and I wrapped my arms tightly around her.
As my arms were wrapped tight around Jojo, something in the back of my mind was calling me. A faint echo was all I could hear. The words, “Do you need help?” rang softly through my head, but for some reason the voice saying them no longer meant anything to me. Before I knew it, the voice was gone, and all I could hear was the sound of Jojo’s breathing as we continued to kiss in the dark of the park.
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